The MDM Podcast

Private label market share traditionally increases in a downturn. James Dorn of Dorn Group sees a perfect storm brewing as softening inflation and supply chain pressures add some tailwinds to that equation. But brands are not going away. Our conversation reviews strategic options for large and small distributors to consider, as well as brand manufacturers. 

Ahead of NAW's Jan. 31-Feb. 2 Executive Summit in Washington D.C., CEO Eric Hoplin stopped by to discuss how distributors are handling the labor market, economic headwinds, supply chain conditions and more.

If you’ve ever attended a Mike Marks presentation, odds are he referenced one of the most influential thinkers on management in the 20th century. For good reason. In this Quicktake conversation, Marks shares thoughts on time spent with Peter Drucker as his graduate student, insights that fueled his consulting career, and what advice Drucker might have for distributors today.

In our first MDM Podcast of the year, Tom Gale chats with author and Day1Ready Founder Jennifer Fondrevey on who must be involved in the M&A communication process and when, along with other intangibles.

What’s out? Doom-scrolling. What’s in? Distribution industry executives will make more data-informed decisions supported by stronger technology and analytics. In our first Quicktake podcast conversation of the year, IRCG’s Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale look at the opportunities for distributors to take what the business cycle and competitors provide in the year ahead.

Leaders from Vallen Distribution, Stanley Black & Decker, LineDrive and Ace Hardware share their insights captured during interviews at ISA’s Women in Industry Summit, which was part of ISA's Fall Summit held Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Orlando. They discuss what’s best left behind in 2022 and where the industry is moving in 2023.

Spreading resources too thin in a downcycle is a common trap. In a discussion on threats, themes and strategic planning for 2023, James Dorn of the Dorn Group and MDM’s Tom Gale discuss thinking beyond rebates, the rise of customer self-serve, the power of segment focus and pain relief, and a call to rewrite the operating manual for distributor-supplier relationships and value creation.

Kathleen Shanahan stops by to discuss her unique path to becoming Turtle & Hughes' CEO; the electrical distributor’s emphasis on diversity in both its workforce and supplier base; and how investment in sustainable energy storage has positioned the company for continued success in the age of electrification.

Predicting the future is folly, but market transitions are where competitive advantage is won. No, that’s not some famous saying, but the fine line Indian River’s Mike Marks and MDM’s Tom Gale tread in this conversation. How will distributors outperform market conditions and competitors? What will change the industry?

Net Results Group Managing Partner Lance Gilbert discusses the state of indirect spend at large facilities from his team’s expertise in the analytics, technology and process improvement for MRO inventories, usage and purchasing behaviors. We explore the current supply chain challenges and opportunities for distributors to help customers “right-size” their inventory.